| | A soul for success Many people can make money, but it is interesting how many people who make money can keep the money in the long run. We all have stories of people we know who made a lot of money, quickly, but within a few years, need money. You have to think about finances, not only in short term, but also in long term aspects. It is usually in the longer term aspects that though you may have riches now, does not mean that you will have what it takes to keep it, or multiply it, several years down the line. I'm not even talking about the money hungry people, but just the ones who want to make honest, good money. Relationships are hot topics. The internet, magazines, and local hangouts are full of conversations about how to meet the one for you, how to maintain the one for you, and how one is NOT the one for you. But many long for that ultimate love, that lasting love, where no pain, no sadness, and no fear will be found. Many of us find out that having sex does not equate to emotional opennes and physical closeness we are looking for. It is said that most women look for love through sex, men look for sex through love. And everyone states, once you are married, and oh boy, once you have children - it's all down hill!!! Separation and divorce does not need legal papers. It can already be present emotionally and physically. What can we do to make resources last, relationships last? Why does it have to end? Why is it so painful and hurtful? Can the joys and celebrations last? Again, we go down to the basics of human character. If you look in the newspaper, and read about every corruption story in politics and finances - it is basically about the fundamental flaws of character. It's called honesty. Think about the stewardship of money that needed to be carried out with integrity. Think about the lack of the charcter of fidelity in relationships that is reflected in our papers and entertainment programs. Much of what is around our sphere of influence does not promote good character or integrity. Jesus was the Grand-Master at developing the heart and soul - the charcte of a person. He spoke strongly against the Pharisees, teachers of the law, about their glamorous good outsides, but the insides having dead man's bones. It has to do with the inside of the person, the private world, rather than the public world, the public face that we typically, and tirelessly, present. But once behind closed doors, we may get a glimpse of whether who we are has what it takes to be responsible with finances and flourish with relaitonships. Reflection question(s): Describe the Christ-like character that you feel is needed for finances and relationships to last. Which one do you feel like you need to develop to a fuller potential? |
